1. Christmas 2011
UPDATE LETTER
and denial of financial support or custody Irene was so impressed with one particular
Dear friends, towards minor children. These women
understood that they can always avail of
group with whom she commented was really
“a community in the making”. Coming
We are in the monsoon season as we protection to prevent further acts of violence from far places, the communities comprised
write this update letter to you. Due to from happening again and have access to of families and the youth, all showed up
worse typhoons that have hit the country necessary relief. The relief granted under at the venue despite strong rains. The
in recent years, we have coordinated with a protection order serves to safeguard venue became very quiet during the talks.
the city government three months earlier them from further harm, to minimize any The speaker thought that the number of
and invited them to provide an interactive disruptions to their daily life, and to give them participants was lesser because everyone
seminar for our center. The seminar on the opportunity to regain control of their own was listening intently for fear of missing a
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND lives. Since then, we have continued this word of information. Almost everyone was
MANAGEMENT (DRRM) discussed the series of education for our mothers. so moved by the meeting.
need to lessen the environmental impact
of disasters like climate change, and A big number of Pag-asa families still have In about three months that you would be
promote the involvement of communities infants and we were very grateful to learn receiving this update letter, the graduation
concerned, especially our communities that the objective of this year’s celebration ceremories for our children would also be
in Pag-asa Social Center. The speakers of NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH is held.
who came stressed the implementation of to encourage all sectors of society to
actions and measures relating to all aspects help in promoting the proper practice of GRADUATING IN A RECESSION
of DRRM, which includes risk assessment BREASTFEEDING. By organizing a half-
and early warning, information awareness, day of activity, we offered a small lecture We have several students whom you have
the reduction of underlying risk factors, to the mothers. We explained to them that helped up to their college graduation. They
and preparedness for effective response breastfeeding not only saves their babies are all graduating in the midst of a global
and early recovery. By knowing what to do from sickness, but also provides them recession. It has been a difficult year for the
in these situations, people can then better with long-term benefits. Studies show economy as there is a very stiff competition
cope with various calamities. that breastfed babies do better in school between graduates, laid-off employees, and
cognitive tests. There is also a positive job-switchers vying for just few available
Three months after the DRRM, we have correlation between breastfeeding and jobs. Global outsourcing, smaller wages and
tried to deal with another kind of ‘disaster’. children’s educational attainment, according smaller career growth give the jobseekers
After noting how some parents talked to to surveys. very limited options. They are either forced
their children in a negative way, we have to get underemployed by taking a job out
decided to offer a talk about VIOLENCE In between those series of seminars, of their own field or just take any offer even
AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN. monthly meetings were held in 8 different if it does not give them the salary and the
Verbal, physical, emotional, psychological communities. The meetings were organized career that they deserve.
and economic abuse, are all crimes of and conducted by Irene de los Angeles. She
violence which involve emotional anguish, is a lawyer at 80, and one of the founders of Today’s economy and job market are both
public humiliation for the woman or her child the 7 social centers linked to the Focolare presenting discouraging situations to find
Movement in the jobs. There are simultaneous layoffs and
Philippines. Topics in forced resignations from big companies and
this year’s meetings a lot of unexpected scenarios. Unfortunately,
focused on God’s will a jobseeker would just always find himself
and how to always spending a lot of time attending interviews
love Him through the and online applications. Hundreds or even
neighbours nearest to thousands could be competing for just one
us. The monthly ‘Word vacant position.
of Life’ was also read
and deepened with the After two and a half months of jobhunting,
sharing of experiences our graduate students considered taking
from the participants. an internship in their field—believing that
The ‘Word of Life’ is this was a good way to get their feet on
a chosen sentence in a company and a step which may lead to
the Gospel by which a full-time position. Subsequently, our
the Focolare members very first graduate, a nursing student,
try to live. In addition fortunately landed a job in a famous clinic
to the meetings, some that provides accessible, affordable and
topics concerning efficient quality healthcare. Also, two of our
Dr. Giuseppe Poidimani dedicatedly helped us in medical consultations of the environment and Information Technology graduates are
children and families for 3 months. In between the consultations, he also helped nutrition were also now working in the central business district
us in the Italians translations of our children’s letters where he confessed that
oftentimes he gets teary-eyed for reading the letters. discussed. of Makati City on their own chosen fields.
Focolare Compound · Calamba Road · Iruhin Central · 4120 Tagaytay City · Philippines
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2. UPDATE LETTER Philippines Christmas 2011
too and that they shouldn’t of World Teachers’ Day and National
assume their teachers are Teachers’ Month. The event was aired on
traditional teachers who are local TV last October and inspired all our
unapproachable. children, even those without disabilities—to
work hard and study well (see also http://
One of our graduate channel11.gmanews.tv/front-row-presents-
teachers expressed bayaning-guro.)
desire to leave classroom
teaching. He explained that For the second consecutive year,
he didn’t want to teach on Joshua and Daryl, our two children with
the standard setup, but special needs, competed once again in
that he intends to pursue the 9th SPED Olympics, a sports contest
teaching in ALS program for children with disabilities. Thirty-one
or Alternative Learning schools joined in this competition whose
System. ALS is a free primary goal was to make these children
Irene de los Angeles & Dr. Giuseppe Poidimani education program which feel that they can also live and share with
benefits those who cannot their communities like normal kids. Some
afford formal schooling and of the games were badminton, gymnastics,
One is a web designer and developer at an adapts to their available track and field, and other sports that would
ultimate one-stop online bookstore in the schedule. There are only two ALS teachers reveal their athletic prowess, despite their
Philippines, while the other graduate works in Tagaytay and he hopes very
as a System Engineer in a leading company much to be the third one, and
that provides equipment and systems to to make a difference. Special thanks goes to RITA ZANON
the retail industry.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE for her donation of € 800,00 for the
TEACHERS AND TEACHING benefit of our center.
Our future SPED (Special
Periodically, we have a number of children Education) teacher, RONALD
who bring home a bad report card. This may MANGUIAT, the very first beneficiary of condition. Joshua and Daryl joined the
not be too alarming, but after having seen a Pag-asa Social Center, is blind and currently track and field division.
pattern of poor grades and teachers started doing ‘practice teaching’ for blind children.
notifying us that some of our children are He has been making a difference for many Before ending this update, we are happy
struggling with specific subjects, we again years now and this year he surprised us to announce to all of you that finally, we have
considered offering tutorial services. again! Just about to graduate next year, our own website, designed and developed
he has already received public recognition for free by our friend Henry Angeles. Please
We know that children’s lives at home can as one of the three BAYANING GURO’s (a take a look at it! We hope you’ll like it! Please
be much easier if the bulk of their homework hero teacher) during the commemoration see our website and new e-mail address on
has already been done or the footer.
at least discussed before
dinner time. For those who Now Christmas is fast
have studying problems, a Ronald Manguiat, our hero teacher.
approaching and we leave you
neutral homework coach with with this message:
knowledge of what is being
covered at school is a great
ally and who else better fit to
be coaches but the students THERE ARE MANY MILES
themselves. Together with BETWEEN US, BUT THIS
our three graduate teachers SEASON’S GREETING IS
who are all currently teaching FOR YOU, TO WISH YOU
in our day care center, we AND YOUR LOVED ONES A
organized a LEARNING WORLD OF HAPPINESS ON
CAMP for 15 high school THIS BLESSED CHRISTMAS
students who were willing to DAY!
help around 20 slow learners
of Grades 1 to 3 elementary
students. MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM
DEEP DOWN IN OUR HEARTS
However, considering AND A BIG “THANK YOU”
that non-participation during FOR YOUR CONTINUED
school lessons by these SUPPORT!!!
slow learners might also
be the reason for their low
grades, we taught them
LAYOUT : LAFIX.NET
how to socialize by building
a good relationship with
their tutors. Later on, the
,
students realized that their
teachers can be their friends and the entire Pag-asa family
Focolare Compound · Calamba Road · Iruhin Central · 4120 Tagaytay City · Philippines
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pagasasocialcenter.org | favolashirts.com info@pagasasocialcenter.org